Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-02-21
ROMANCES IN REAL LIFE
BARONESS MAYFIELD TO BE
HAPPY AT LAST.

i, brilliant Marriage Which Proved a
stepping stone to Long Years of Mis-
i a-v-separation from. Her Husband
ond Left Fortune by His Death-A
pine Grass Heroine also at the Capt.
Il tai.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 19.-Baroness May
&nant a few days in Washington this
week. The story of her life is probably
&s romantic as that of any woman at the
&anital. She is a daughter of ex-senator
&aylor, of Louisiana, who was quite
&romlnent figure in Washington lite in
&bs wears Immediately preceding the civil
ar Asa girl she was handsome and
&iyacious and one of the acknowledged
kclles of New Orleans, where her father
5osided. Among the jeunesse dore OF the
Ef ty was dashing young fellow, with an
unusually handsome face and figure, who
stvled himself Sir Thomas May. He went
II New Orleans from Saratoga and owned
toveral plantations that brought him an
rcome which enabled him to live like a
oung prince, He claimed a direct de-
Nnt from the English Earls of Mayfield,
nd often oclaimed that he would some
ay return to England to lay claim to his
&tie and estates. 1t was hardly more
ban natural that the gay young
beyaler and the pretty daughter of the
enator should tall in love and In proper
fme plight their troth at the altar under
he most brilliant auspices. Before
he honeymoon was many months old
Ol. May's disposition greatly changed,
- Iil mil 81
erDlexed to account for 1T. Finally the
buse of the great change was divulged
fhen it was learned that he was about to
3 Nv claim to the title of Earl of Mayfield
Shd endeavor to prove his claims to the
hcestral estates in England. 1t was
& hst about that time that the civil war
&oke out, and Col. May, liberating his
1ayes, declared himself in sympathy
&&ih the Union and came North. For her
Ayalty to her husband the wife was COM
8 etely ostracized by her family. Taking
active part in the struggle, Col. May
rived on the staff OF Gen. Sheridan, sub
Quently receiving from President Lin
In the appointment of.Assistant Treas
Ter OF the United States tor the Southern
partment at New Orleans. Pursued by
e spirit of restlessness, Col. May did not
main long IN that city, especially as his
ything but warm, owing to his polti-
opinions. Twice he took his family
road with him in his endeavor to prove
right to the vast estates and titles of
Py, of Maytield, for Maytield House is
e of the show places of London. During
e second trip abroad Col. May refused,
lthOut the slightest pr0vocation, to sup
rt his family, although possessed Of an
lpe fortune. A good deal of talk was
casioned by his action, but in some
y 1t was hushed up and he was pre-
lied upon to return to this country.
|Orty after their return his conduct be-
me so bad that his wife, fearing for her
and that of her children, fed from
IN the night time, taking them with
Her suffering before taking that
p had been intense and extended
ough many years. though never COM
INT had passed her lips. Her hus-
pa, for many weeks after, kept up
u search for her and the children, and
En- went 50 far as to offer large rewards
any Information concerning her
ereabouts. He finally gave up the
lrch and went back 20 Europe, where
remained, finally succeeding in es-
lshlng his claims. A few days
ne cable brought the
Tvs that he was dead. Since
night Mrs. May was obliged
leaVe her husband, she has never
ra OF or from him, but, with her
lureh, mas been taken care of by her
tner. The eldest child, a girl, has
wn to womanhood, inheriting her
ners former beauty and her iather's
uaht qualities of mind. The eldest
ue Two boys will, of course, inherit his
uel Title and greater portion of the
te SO recently acquired. Whether
Ialnily OF the late Earl VIII go to live
yheio house, or remain in America,
u yet known, for the suddenness Of
upuOle announcement of the death,
tDe immense fortune to which they
nave the sole right, has naturally
ugnt great change in their lives,
ull extent OF which cannot be exactly
mated at present.
HIGHLY ROMANTIC.
ere is now visiting Washington
nel woman whose life is verltica-
Vi the correctness of the old adage
truth is stranger than fietion- -
woman is Kentucky born. Her
nus were pinched by lack of this
Nrs goods, and early In lite the girl
aMlneo 10 marry money. Near her
oIal ROOF lived cousin worth
ION, out nevertheless a miser. He
~ loVe with her. She encouraged his
ahu marriage followed. Contrary to
cotatlon, the old fellow did not
MS mlserly habits after his mar
:, anu the Young wife must have led a
\! miserable sort of an existence dur
1e !eW years OF hermarried lite. One
0nly-tne daughter now in Wash
~ vas oorn Of this marriage. A
''aIs aiter the old man conveniently
w anu Ielt, his vast wealth to his
led 1t was found that the estate
entslled; that is, he gave It
s daughter during her lifetime.
nother to act as trustee and
Oaan uhtli her coming of age. Should
airy ana have children, the estate
~ w tnem; but in the event of
NIL MI without issue, the entire prop
vas 10 revert to his nearest of kin.
Ioeu period OF mourning hay-
eeu, the young widow launched
neo tne most extensive changes.
Sne wnn ol tne miser became a palace
Tue resort OF the elite and
nd psppie OF the country for miles
end notner ana daughter decided
, hiraS "inter IN washington, where
in ~ ,h gu expensive suite OF apart
ih ~ the best hotel. It was not long
: lhey were surrounded nv a host ~
fers, among the NUMBER being two
: "n "ent members Of Congress-. who
re ehamored Of the beautiful and
ssant widow. One of the two was
hIw eslIhler than the other and IN
y g neralded his calls by sending a
TVeut nS'ht bouquet as an accompani-
VI ,ne card he gave the bell poy
vo 70 tne lady's room. His rival.
e ier, was on watch, and on several